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'The best books, reviewed with insight and charm, but without compromise.' - author Jackie French

Monday, 23 June 2014

THE WINNERS! KBR Unpublished Picture Book Manuscript Award 2014

AND THE WINNERS ARE . . .

We are thrilled to announce the winners in our 2014 Unpublished Manuscript Award for a Picture Book! Judging is a tough process but after much collaboration, we are proud to announce our winners. Biggest congratulations go to ...Australian Manuscript Section

3 x FIRST PRIZES ...

The Cheese Wizard by Ben Kitchin

The Biggest and Best Birthday Ever by Cynthia Hyde

The Bad Bruise by Darrelle Spenceley

Congratulations! You have won $150, a KBR manuscript
appraisal, a certificate and the chance to have your work fast-tracked to the desk of Sue Whiting,
Publishing Manager at Walker Books Australia!

Highly Commended

Highly commended stories are those entries with near-runner-up scores. These entries were viewed most highly by our judging team. We do hope to see them in print one day! Congratulations to:

Spaghetti! by Shannon Wong-NitzicBoof Goes to Beauty School by Caroline TuoheyWhat a Cheeky Pair!by Maura FinnHarold the Storytime Couch by Carrie GallaschEssie the Hen by Kaye Baillie

Special Mentions

Some of our judges have requested to nominate a story that resonated with them in some way. These stories may not have received the highest overall score (and some may have a little more work to do), but the judges were very impressed with the concept, style, author voice, or all three. These Special Mentions go to:

Just Perfect by Romi Sharp Bill and Doris by Kaye Baillie Baby Brother Booming Burper by Nerida WaylandVerity Vale and the Scarves that Changed a Town by Jane WilliamsBecause You're My Grandson by Judy TownsendHow To Get The Good Stuff by Megan Herbert The Goodbye Stone by Ally IrelandWaiting for Lilli by Teena Raffa-MulliganSaffi’s Scrapbook by Kaye Baillie

International Manuscript SectionTHE WINNER IS ...

The Lost Button by Katrina Ward

Congratulations, Katrina! You have won a KBR manuscript
appraisal, a certificate and the chance to have your work fast-tracked to the publisher's desk at Penguin Books Australia!

Highly Commended

Highly
commended stories are those entries who were shortlisted and received near-runner-up scores. Congratulations to:

Some
of our judges have requested to nominate a story that resonated with
them in some way. These stories may not have received the highest
overall score (and some may have a little more work to do), but the
judges were impressed with the concept, style, author voice, or all
three.

These Special Mentions go to:

Exploring the World: Cities from A to Z by Jennifer L. BlanckThe Decision by Susan MarcusAmelia Looks Down, Thomas Turns Up by Joy Gladstone

Australian Illustration Section

Congratulations to the following illustrators! You have won the chance to have your work viewed directly by Walker Books Australia!

Highly
commended illustrations are those entries who shortlisted, with runner-up scores. These
entries were viewed most highly by our judging team. In order of score. Congratulations to:

The Way of the Taiginonami by Kate DurackThe Elves and the Shoemaker by Helene MagissonThe Monkhouse Family by Emma RickardsCrazy Cat Lady by Alarna Zinn Jambo and the Strange Thing by Christine BruderlinTree by Jason PhilpArchitecture by Helene MagissonTug of War by Kate Bouman Fresh Beats by Linda JudgeIllustrator by Alarna Zinn

Special Mentions

These illustrations may not have received the highest
overall score, but the
judges were impressed with the concept, style and emotional response, or all
three. These Special Mentions go to:

Feedback sheets will be emailed by Friday 25 July. Please do be in touch with us if you haven't received yours by that date. Send an email to KBRaward(AT)kids-bookreview.com or message us on our facebook page. Please note: if you are waiting on more than one sheet, they may not arrive at the same time.

Thank you to everyone who sent in their precious manuscripts. We so enjoyed reading your wonderful work,
and we can't wait for next year when we can do it all again.

Special thanks to Walker Books and Penguin Books Australia, to our glorious judges who worked SO hard over hundreds of entries, and to all the wonderful people, especially Jackie Hosking of Pass It On and Vicki Stanton of Buzz Words, who have supported our Award - we so appreciate it.

9 comments:

Thank you so much for holding this exciting competition - it really is such a highlight each year and I'm very proud to have been Highly Commended and received two surprise Special Mentions. You guys work so hard, so a huge THANK YOU!! Was there an announcement made about last year's winner and a publishing deal? Or have I missed that post somewhere along the line?

Thank you so much, Kaye! We love running the comp and delighting in everyone's talent. Last year's winner did receive a publishing deal but not with her winning entry; she was approached by another publisher and has had a different manuscript published with them. We will bring news of that when the cover of the book is ready!

Congratulations to all - what a wonderful achievement! And big cheers and kudos to KBR - especially Tania and my beautiful friend Susan Whelan. A mountain of work but such a fabulous service to and opportunity for the authors. xxx

Congratulations to KBR for providing this opportunity for writers and illustrators and congratulations to everyone who entered. We are so lucky to have the support of BuzzWords and Pass It On, Walker Books and Penguin, and the dedicated judges. Well done everyone.